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1.INTRODUCTIONCivil engineering is a pivotal branch of engineering that focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of the built environment. This broad field encompasses various sub-disciplines, including Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Construction Engineering, and Urban and Regional Planning. Each of these disciplines relies heavily on accurate data to achieve effective assessment and management of projects. Traditionally, such information has been gathered using sensors and equipment installed directly on structures and infrastructures (Shrive, 2005) or through onsite equipment operated by personnel physically present at the location of interest (Malesa et al, 2010). In recent years, remote sensing has emerged as a revolutionary technology in civil engineering, providing valuable information about objects or areas from a distance. Remote sensing encompasses a variety of techniques and technologies, such as satellite imagery, aerial photography, and LiDAR, which can be applied across all civil engineering disciplines. The integration of remote sensing into civil engineering offers numerous benefits, including the ability to collect data without the need for physical presence at the site, thus reducing traffic delays caused by monitoring activities on bridges and highways, enhancing safety in challenging environments, and improving the efficiency and accuracy of data collection. The utilization of remote sensing technologies in civil engineering has the potential to transform the industry by enabling more efficient monitoring, planning, and maintenance of infrastructure. By leveraging these advanced technologies, civil engineers can achieve higher precision in their assessments, better manage resources, and ultimately contribute to the development of safer and more sustainable infrastructure systems. This paper explores the integration of remote sensing techniques in various civil engineering disciplines, highlighting their applications, benefits, and the future prospects of this evolving field. 2.TYPES OF REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUESVarious remote sensing techniques are available for capturing data about the Earth’s surface and atmosphere (Roy et al, 2017) that find implementations both in scientific branches and far more practical industries.
3.APPLICATIONS OF REMOTE SENSING IN CIVIL ENGINEERINGRemote sensing techniques have a wide range of applications in civil engineering projects (Laefer, 2020). These include:
4.ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGESThe integration of remote sensing in civil engineering offers numerous advantages, including:
5.CASE STUDIES5.1Case study 1: Satellite Remote Sensing in climate changeOwing to the need to understand climate change and monitor essential climate variables, satellite remote sensing has led to major advances in understanding the climate system and its changes (Stylianou et al, 2023). For the understanding of the climate system and its variations, sensors aboard different platforms, including plane, boat and Argo and ground-based instruments are used (sun spectral radiometers measure solar radiation) as shown in Figure 1. However, satellite remote sensing can provide more frequent and repetitive coverage over a large area than other observation means and as well as satellite remote sensing allows for continual monitoring of climate change on the global scale (Fig. 1). Satellite remote sensing has led to major advances in understanding the climate system and its changes by monitoring climate parameters such as precipitation and temperature, and by quantifying processes and spatiotemporal states of the atmosphere, land, and oceans (Wang, 2023). With this information, the civil engineering community must adapt its design and construction practices to enhance the sustainability of structures. The benefits of remote sensing in assessing and mitigating the impact of climate change on civil engineering can be summarized as follows:
5.2Case study 2: Thermal imaging camera for assessing structural integrity.This study by Tantele et al. (2018) investigated a relatively new non-destructive testing method using infrared thermography to determine its applicability for detecting and evaluating steel corrosion in reinforced concrete structures. The method leverages the difference in thermal characteristics between corroded and non-corroded steel. Corrosion products alter the heat distribution on the concrete surface due to heat stored in the reinforcement bars. Figure 2 summarizes the findings from this study. The key conclusion is that thermal images can be employed as a remote tool for detecting steel reinforcement corrosion in reinforced concrete structures. The main benefit lies in the contactless nature of the data acquisition and the rapid execution over large areas, compared to traditional methods such as half-cell potential or corrosion rate measurements. 5.3Case study 3: Mapping the variability of carbonation progress using GIS techniques and field data: a case study of the Limassol district.This study by Tantele et al (2016) aims to demonstrate how individual field data can be combined to characterize an area using GIS mapping tools. The resulting map can depict the variability of carbonation progress across different geographical locations. A construction lab provided measurements of the carbonation depth for several buildings at various sites in the Limassol district. This information was used to calculate the carbonation factor for each structure and then visualize its value using mapping techniques. The outcome is a corrosion risk map (figure 3) of the Limassol district, showing the variability of carbonation progress with geographical locations. The map shows in which areas the risk for carbonation induced-corrosion is higher than others. The area’s risk categorisation into high risk (red colour), moderate (mainly yellow colour) and low risk (blue colour) is based on the field measurements and the visual inspection carried-out. The study highlights that the employment of GIS techniques is a useful tool for engineers and managing authorities to prevent further deterioration of structures by timely interventions. The presentation of structural information in this form makes the structural evaluation easier and it can be used to predict where the risk of corrosion is highest in an area. Engineers and managing authorities can use this map as a predictive tool for the initiation of carbonation-induced corrosion in existing structures and at the design stage to set durability requirements for concrete cover depth. 6.CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONSDespite its advantages, remote sensing technology presents several challenges and limitations in civil engineering applications:
Another challenge, is that continuous learning and professional development are essential for civil engineers to harness the full potential of remote sensing technology. This can be achieved through activities such as:
7.CONCLUSIONSRemote sensing techniques offer invaluable tools for enhancing infrastructure development and addressing challenges in civil engineering. By integrating remote sensing technology into their practices, civil engineers can improve efficiency, accuracy, safety and sustainability in their projects. Remote sensing is serving as a valuable tool for data acquisition, analysis, and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. As the field of remote sensing continues to evolve, it is essential for engineers to stay informed, collaborate with experts, and embrace innovative solutions for future infrastructure projects. The future of remote sensing in civil engineering holds immense potential for innovation and advancement:
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